2025-2026 League Champions
OJHL ‘Buckland Cup’ Champion Toronto Patriots
The Toronto Patriots delivered a dominant and historic 2025–26 Ontario Junior Hockey League season, establishing themselves as one of the premier Junior A programs in Canada. Under head coach Vince Bellissimo, the Patriots combined elite offensive production with disciplined defensive play to finish first overall in the OJHL standings with a remarkable 47-8-0-1 record and 95 points, capturing the Brant Snow Memorial Trophy as regular season champions. Toronto led the league in goals scored with 296 while allowing just 132, giving them an impressive +164 goal differential.
The Patriots maintained their status as the top-ranked team in the OJHL for much of the season and climbed into the national CJHL rankings thanks to consistent performances from a deep roster led by captain Anthony Giacalone, playoff MVP Luciano Bruno, and standout goaltender Trey Caracciolo.
Toronto carried its regular-season dominance into the playoffs, sweeping both the Mississauga Chargers and Milton Menace before defeating the Collingwood Blues in a dramatic seven-game Western Conference Final. The Patriots then captured the 2026 Buckland Cup championship with a 4-1 series victory over the Newmarket Hurricanes, clinching the title with a 5-2 win at Westwood Arena. Their championship season earned the franchise a berth at the 2026 Centennial Cup national championship tournament.
Photo courtesy of OJHL Images
GOHL ‘Sutherland Cup’ Champion Cambridge Redhawks
The Cambridge Redhawks enjoyed a landmark 2025–26 campaign, cementing themselves as one of the top Junior B hockey programs in Ontario. Competing in the newly rebranded Greater Ontario Hockey League (GOHL), the Redhawks combined elite offensive depth, disciplined defensive play, and strong goaltending to capture both the league regular-season championship and the franchise’s first-ever Sutherland Cup title.
Cambridge entered the season with high expectations and quickly established itself as a powerhouse in the Eastern Conference. Led by captain Owen Yagar and a talented young roster, the Redhawks were dominant at historic Galt Arena Gardens, where Saturday night crowds created one of the league’s best atmospheres. Their balanced lineup consistently produced offensively while limiting opponents’ scoring chances throughout the season.
The Redhawks carried their momentum into the playoffs, overcoming several strong opponents before facing the St. Marys Lincolns in the Sutherland Cup Final. Cambridge clinched the championship in five games, highlighted by a dramatic overtime victory that secured the biggest accomplishment in franchise history.
Photo courtesy of GOHL
PJHL ‘Schmalz Cup’ Champion Fergus Whalers
The Fergus Whalers etched their names into Provincial Junior Hockey League history during the 2025–26 season, capturing the franchise’s first-ever PJHL Schmalz Cup championship in dramatic fashion. After a dominant regular season that saw Fergus finish atop the North Pollock Division with a remarkable 34–7 record, the Whalers carried their momentum deep into the playoffs and emerged as one of the province’s elite Junior C programs.
Led by head coach Ryan Black and powered offensively by stars Joey Martin, Jacob Lesser, Ryan Forwell, and Liam Eveleigh, Fergus showcased speed, depth, and resilience throughout the postseason. The Whalers defeated several top contenders on their road to the finals before meeting the Tavistock Braves in a thrilling Schmalz Cup championship series.
The championship matchup delivered unforgettable moments, including multiple overtime games and dramatic late-game comebacks. Fergus ultimately secured the title in Game 5 when Ryan Forwell scored the overtime championship-winning goal on home ice, completing a playoff run in which the Whalers lost only three games overall.
Playoff MVP Jacob Lesser was outstanding throughout the postseason, recording 19 goals and 14 assists in 20 games. Combined with stellar goaltending from Noah Lundgren and balanced contributions across the lineup, the Whalers finished with an incredible combined 54–10 overall record, cementing the 2025–26 Fergus Whalers as one of the most successful teams in recent PJHL history.
Photo courtesy of PJHL
ACH ‘Robertson Cup’ Champion Wentworth Gryphins
The Wentworth Gryphins continued their remarkable rise in Canadian senior hockey by capturing the 2026 J. Ross Robertson Cup as champions of the Allan Cup Hockey League (ACH). Founded only in 2022, the Gryphins have quickly become one of Ontario’s premier Senior AAA programs, building on the momentum of their historic 2025 Allan Cup national championship season.
Led by head coach Matt Beca, Wentworth showcased a deep, experienced roster built around offensive firepower, structured defensive play, and veteran leadership throughout the 2025-26 campaign. The Gryphins battled through a highly competitive ACH schedule before advancing through the playoffs and defeating the rival Stoney Creek Tigers in the Robertson Cup Final to secure back-to-back league championships.
Offensively, the club received major contributions from league scoring leader Alex Hutchings, while the team’s balanced lineup and disciplined systems made them difficult to contain in crucial playoff games. The organization also earned league recognition behind the bench, with Matt Beca being named ACH Coach of the Year.
Playing out of Harry Howell Arena in Waterdown, the Gryphins have rapidly established themselves as a modern senior hockey powerhouse and one of the flagship franchises in Allan Cup Hockey.
Photo courtesy of Wentworth Gryphins
OEHL AA ‘J.F. Paxton Trophy’ Champion Seaforth Centenaires
The Seaforth Centenaires cemented their place among Ontario’s elite senior hockey clubs by capturing the 2025-26 Ontario Elite Hockey League (OEHL) J.F. Paxton Trophy championship. Representing one of the province’s most tradition-rich senior programs, the Centenaires combined veteran experience, disciplined structure, and timely scoring to power through a demanding playoff run and secure the league title.
Throughout the season, Seaforth established itself as a balanced and resilient team capable of winning in multiple ways. The Centenaires relied on strong defensive play, dependable goaltending, and a relentless work ethic that allowed them to consistently compete against the OEHL’s top contenders. Their physical style and commitment to team defense became defining traits during the postseason, where they elevated their game in key moments.
The championship victory marked another significant achievement for the proud Huron County organization, which has long been a staple of Ontario senior hockey. Backed by passionate local support at the Seaforth and District Community Centre, the Centenaires once again demonstrated the importance of community-driven hockey success in small-town Ontario.
By winning the J.F. Paxton Trophy, Seaforth not only celebrated a league championship but also reinforced its reputation as one of the OEHL’s premier and most respected franchises.
Photo courtesy of the Seaforth Centenaires
